UK Extension offers free native trees to residents who remove invasive Bradford pear

The University of Kentucky Extension Service is asking Kentucky residents to help control an invasive tree species by offering free native replacements to people who remove Bradford pear trees, according to a report published October 12, 2026. The program ties participation to proof that a Bradford pear tree was cut down, with the goal of reducing the impact of a species Extension officials have identified as invasive.

Bradford pear, a fast-growing ornamental tree that can spread beyond landscaped areas, has been the subject of repeated efforts across the state aimed at limiting establishment in forests, fields, and other unmanaged habitats. UK Extension’s approach uses a direct incentive, pairing public action with an immediate benefit for participants, the WKYT report said.

The WKYT report described the effort as a “bounty” program, with residents who can document removal of a Bradford pear tree eligible to receive a native tree. UK Extension is framing the exchange as both practical and educational, encouraging residents to replace invasive growth with native species better suited to local ecosystems.

The program depends on verification. WKYT reported that participants must show evidence that they cut down a Bradford pear tree in order to receive the free native tree. The specific form of documentation, the submission timeline, and the number of trees available were not detailed in the report, according to what was provided.

Extension is also using the effort as a public-facing education campaign, aiming to draw attention to invasive species management and the steps residents can take on their own property. By attaching a visible community benefit, the program also seeks to increase participation in what Extension says is a larger environmental objective.

Participants, meanwhile, are expected to focus on the invasive tree they remove and the native tree they receive through the program. The WKYT report did not state whether the native tree allotment varies by county or planting conditions, but it described the offer as tied to each verified Bradford pear removal.

For residents, the next step is to review UK Extension’s participation requirements and follow the documentation process needed to receive the free tree. If requirements change over time, residents are expected to follow the guidance from UK Extension for that season’s distribution and any instructions related to safe removal and handling of the trees.